Cervical spondylodiscitis--a rare complication of palatopharyngeal flap surgery.
Cervical spondylodiscitis was diagnosed in a 31-year-old man 2 months after palatopharyngeal flap surgery. Symptoms included pain in the neck and tingling and numbness in the left arm. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, and the patient recovered on antibiotic treatment. We propose that the spondylodiscitis may have occurred as a result of a local infection in and around the surgical wound in the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Holmgaard
Rikke
R
Department of Plastic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. rikkeholmgaard@hotmail.com
Jakobsen
Linda P
LP
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery; D015299:Discitis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000601:surgery*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents